Debutants shine as Gems shock Botswana

Veronica Gwaze in NAIROBI, Kenya

ZIMBABWE launched their 2027 Netball World Cup qualifying bid in ruthless manner, hammering Botswana 57-39 in their Group One opener in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday.

And it was the Gems’ debutants who stole the show.

Thrown into the deep end on the biggest stage, the Gems newcomers stamped their authority from the first whistle, looking completely at home in national colours.

There were neither nerves nor stage fright, instead they looked composed, hungry for victory and their execution justified why they were handed the call-ups.

For a side chasing a third successive World Cup ticket, the Gems came in with a point to prove and they delivered a statement of intent that turned doubters into believers and buried the underdogs tag in style.

The Nedbank-powered Gems took control from the first whistle, winning their opening centre pass and immediately imposing their playing structure as they dictated pace.

They forced an early turnover off Botswana’s first centre pass, immediately giving warning shots of the defensive press that would define the match.

In the defensive third, defenders Elizabeth Mushore, Kelly Muyambo and Assah Zimusi sealed their third, keeping Botswana attackers at bay to create a six-goal lead early in the eighth minute.

The Gems made sure to stay clinical in transition with their midcourt triangle of centre Anifa Luya, wing attack Prudence Sibanda and wing defence Zimusi dictating the tempo, using quick give-and-go, second-phase play and swift ball rotation to break Botswana’s zone defence.

Their feeding into the circle was precise, hitting the shooters on the move and punishing any loose marking, allowing Thandazile Ndhlovu and Prisca Mpofu to sink at least a goal every minute.

By the end of the first quarter, the Gems rested on a 16-9 buffer.

Returning in the second quarter, Zimbabwe were unforgiving.

The combination of Ndhlovu and Mpofu stamped authority, converting off their own centre-passes while making sure that turnovers also count as they held  their space under the post.

Botswana struggled to deal with the Gems full-court press and long defensive arms as coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki’s side made full use of their height when it mattered.

What started as a contest quickly turned into a masterclass, with Zimbabwe dominating possession, winning the turnover battle, controlling rebounds and dictating the pace from attack to defence.

Five minutes into half time, Mutsauki opted to introduce Progress Moyo and allow Sibanda to rest.

By half time, Zimbabwe led 27-20.

Returning in the second half, Sibanda returned on court, while Moyo reverted to the bench as the Gems transformed the battle into a lopsided affair with their dominance in all departments.

The trio of Zimusi, Muyambo and Mushore provided a tight seal at the back, shutting down the shooting lane and denying Botswana entry into their circle.

Botswana became subdued to pressure, and they lost possession most of the time to held balls, tips and intercepts taking to a 46-27 trail by the end of the third quarter.

In the last quarter, it became a battle of emotions as tempers flared, forcing umpires to issue a number of cautions.

To ease the tensions, Mutsauki handed Perisinev Tabviroona and Beaular Dhaure their debuts in Gems colours when the former came in for Elizabeth Mushore, while the latter replaced an agile Zimusi who shifted from wing defence to goal defence.

Enesi Chavarika was also handed a chance to shine in national colours, coming in to replace Ndhlovu in the goal shooting position, helping the Gems’ tally to a massive 57-39 victory at full time.

Mutsauki heaped praises on his side for sticking to game plan and grabbing maximum points in the opener.

“I am very impressed with how the girls were able to take instructions and stick to plan even in times when we seemed under pressure,” he said.

“Botswana had a tall centre, and they were stronger in their mid so, we had to be tight defensively to counter them because this is where we are stronger and we have some height in that department.

“However, in the last quarter, our defenders got a lot of cautions for deliberate contact, hence we made changes and I am happy that the substitutions worked well and all the debutants were very impressive.”

Botswana head coach, Martha Mosoahle-Sam, noted it was a bad day in office for her side.

“It is not good to lose in the first match, especially in such competitions but we have to face it and perhaps draw positives from the situation so that we build from that going forward,” she said.

“Zimbabwe are a very a strong side, but I feel we also have them too much respect and this is something we should work on ahead of our coming game.”

This afternoon, the Gems face off perennial rivals South Africa, who  ooze confidence after walloping Tanzania 90-22 in their opening game of the tournament.

In Group Two, Malawi overpowered Zambia 71-38 keeping alive their hopes of securing a World Cup Qualification ticket.